A method for detecting the motion of an element relative to a sensor arrangement is proposed, wherein switching signals (1) are evaluated as a function of a pulse transmitter passing in front of the sensor, and a switching hysteresis (H) is adapted in the evaluation as a function of the values of the switching signal (1). When the element moves below a predetermined limiting value (fGrenz), a relatively great switching hysteresis (Hyst0) is set, and when the limiting value (fGrenz) is exceeded, a reduced switching hysteresis (H1) is set.